Free New Year's Celebration In Long Beach

12/30/2010.

(PR) Downtown Long Beach will host a massive free celebration this New Year's Eve with two incredible events featuring live performances by The Saps, Wayward Sons and famed Neil Diamond cover band, Super Diamond, beginning at 6PM this Friday, December 31.

Produced and co-sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), New Year's Eve in Downtown will begin with a family-friendly event in the waterfront amphitheatre at Rainbow Harbor followed by a high-energy street party in the Pine Avenue dining & entertainment district.

"There is a great deal of excitement and anticipation surrounding this year's New Year's Eve celebration," said DLBA President and Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Kojian. "We're building on the successes of last year's event and introducing some exciting new elements that will make for a spectacular evening in Downtown Long Beach."

Family-Friendly Waterfront Celebration 6 – 9 PM

Beginning at 6PM, Downtown's waterfront amphitheatre will come alive with a flurry of family-friendly activities and roaming performers, including magicians, face painters and balloon artists. DJ Abel will serve up music and a trackless train will offer free rides along the esplanade between the Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village.

Beginning at 7:30PM, The Saps will take over the stage with a live performance of upbeat 80's tunes that will keep the crowd going until 9PM, when the East Coast countdown to midnight culminates with a nine-minute firework display from Rainbow Harbor's lighthouse peninsula, sponsored by Gladstone's, The Pike at Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village.

Super Diamond Headlines Pine Avenue Celebration 9 PM – 1 AM

As the first of two incredible New Year's Eve fireworks displays in Downtown comes to an end, the massive outdoor party will just be starting on Pine Avenue, from First to Third Streets.

Wayward Sons will open the show at 9PM, with a mix of rock music that will set the tone for event headliner, Super Diamond, a celebrated Neil Diamond cover band featuring lead singer, 'Surreal Neal.' Super Diamond's high-energy performance will wow the crowd beginning at 10:30PM and will rock 'n roll right up until midnight, when the countdown to 2011 begins. Five outdoor bar areas will serve a variety of spirits, allowing guests to enjoy food and beverages throughout the venue without missing a minute of live music.

DLBA has partnered with Long Beach Transit to sponsor free transportation from 5PM-2:30AM. A Long Beach Yellow Cab staging area will also be located just outside of the event venue on Broadway Avenue, providing guests with safe and convenient options for transportation home at the end of the night.

For more information about New Year's Eve Celebration in Downtown, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org